Notícia

ERIC AND HUMBERTO WINS THE DOUBLES TOURNAMENT

Por CBTM

Brazil's Eric Mancini and Humberto Manhani emerged as the Boys' Doubles champions at the Chile Junior Open on Sunday 11th March 2007 beating Australia's Trent Carter and Paraguay's Marcelo Aguirre at the final hurdle.

One week earlier at the ITTF World Junior Circuit event in Venezuela they had lost in the semi-finals to the Dominican Republic's Emil Santos and Juan Antonio Víla; one week later the Brazilians teenager stood proudly on the top step of the medal podium.

In a final that went the full five games distance they succeeded 10-12, 13-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6.

Line Up
Earlier in the day Eric Mancini had lost in the semi-finals of the Boys' Singles event to El Salvador's Josué Donado in a gruelling seven games encounter.

However, the Brazilian put the defeat to the back of his mind and focused on the task ahead.

Learnt from Experience
"The same thing happened last week in Venezuela", explained Eric Mancini.

In Valencia had lost in the quarter-finals of the Boys' Singles event and then had suffered defeat in the semi-finals of the Boys' Doubles. Defeat is not a pleasant experience but clearly Eric Mancini had learnt from the events of one week earlier.

"I tried not to think about the previous match, just concentrate on what laid ahead", said Eric Mancini. He did and with Humberto Manhani won a very exacting contest.

Strong Attack
"Certainly it was difficult", continued Eric Mancini. "Marcelo Aguirre has a very good first attack and he varies the play a great deal, whilst Trent Carter is very good when it comes to counter attacking."

Nevertheless, the Brazilians prevailed and perhaps they were the slightly better duo in the area of service and receive. "Humberto received service well", continued Eric Mamcini. "That was very important."

Agreed
Humberto Manhani concurred with the comments of Eric Mancini. "Yes, they were very good when they attacked first", he added. "That's why they won the first and third games but in the fifth game we gained an early lead and I think that helped our confidence grow."

Different Clubs
Both boys are from São Paulo but they play for different clubs. Eric Mancini plays for the Itaim Keiko club whilst Humberto Manhani plays for Estrela de Ouro.

Different clubs and they don't play doubles together that often. However, in Vina Del they established an excellent understanding and in the Boys' Doubles event at the 2007 Chile Junior Open, gold medals were safely in their possession.